Radioactivity

Question 1

Name a use of alpha radiation

Answer 1

Smoke detectors

Question 2

Name a use of beta radiation

Answer 2

Test the thickness of aluminium in industry

Question 3

Name a use of gamma radiation

Answer 3

Sterilising medical equipment

Question 4

What is the half life

Answer 4

Time taken for the radioactivity of mass of an isotope to decrease by half

Question 5

What is released in alpha emission and what is the effect on the mass and atomic numbers?

Answer 5

2 protons and 2 neutrons decreases both by two

Question 6

What is released in beta decay and what is the effect on the mass and atomic numbers

Answer 6

An electron is released causing a neutron to change into a proton. This makes the atomic number increase by one and the mass number remain the same

Question 7

What happens in gamma emission

Answer 7

An electromagnetic wave is released; there is no change to the mass/atomic number

Question 8

Describe positron emission and the effect on the mass and atomic numbers

Answer 8

A proton emits a positron to form a neutron. Causes the atomic number to decrease by one and the mass number to remain the same

Question 9

Describe electron capture

Answer 9

A proton joins with an electron to form a neutron causing the atomic number to decrease by one and the mass number to stay the same